Snowman Lesson Plans

The weather may or may not be frightful outside your window, but there is no better time than winter to discuss snow. The topic has so many areas to pursue from poetry to scientific study. Whether you are a classroom or homeschool teacher you can find an engaging and motivating topic for your students. You can even try a favorite snow-type of activity, popular among children and adults, which is rolling three consecutive balls and placing one upon the other. Building snowmen is never a dull exercise, and provides bonding time for a family.

The Inuits of the Arctic region have over 30 names for snow. Snow names and words lists some of the unique and descriptive variations.  Let It Snow incorporates vocabulary associated with the subject. It deals with how snow affects our lives, even down to clothing that is worn. Modern and Inuit clothing can be examined as well. Catch My Drift has students study the geological concept of snow pile structure. Children will get the chance to apply the same techniques used by geologists when scrutinizing rock strata.

For the younger set, the paper craft of making snowflakes can be a fun way to pass the time away on a cold, blustery day. Paper Snowflakes has a pictorial set of directions to make a unique creation. There are lots of picture books about snow and snowmen. Children’s Picture Books details some good choices to read aloud. The Mitten In the Snow is a read along story that can be printed and colored. Specific words can be studied and defined or used as a flashcard extension activity. Frosty Friends uses graphic tools to build snowmen. For additional computer skills, specific illustrator programs, like Adobe Photoshop or Corel Draw, can be incorporated. Children can also make their own stop motion film. Marshmallow Fun Day of Math has the spongy treat transformed into all kinds of different pastimes. From making geometric designed snowflakes to graphing the colored variety into charts.

Snowmen are particularly fun. There are so many ways to make one, from a life size body tracing. Labeling the parts of a snowman into different languages can be a way for language teachers to get into the winter fun. Interview a Snowman stresses those skills often passed over. Children read “Snowmen at Night” by Carolyn Buehner. Students compose their own questions in order to conduct a thorough interview of a fictitious snowman. Families can make their own lesson discoveries with these additional snowy offerings.

Snowman Lesson Plans:

Marshmallow Snowmen has students glue marshmallows and pretzels on a sheet. Children can sample as they create, which could be done during dinner time preparations.

Weather- Snowmen in May has children learn about the right conditions needed to create snow. This lesson would be better enjoyed by families living in areas where there is snow.

Inuit Folktales explores the stories told in this culture. The geographic area is studied. Topics of generosity and death can be talked about between parent and child.